The High Court has ordered Masjid Tanah Member of Parliament Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin to pay RM50,000 in damages over defamatory remarks linked to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, following a dispute that arose last year.
The matter was resolved amicably after both parties reached a mutual agreement through mediation proceedings held today before Judicial Commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim, bringing the court trial to an early conclusion.
Legal counsel Datuk Adnan Seman, representing Asyraf Wajdi, confirmed that the court also instructed Mas Ermieyati to issue a public apology within 14 days and remove three videos and related statements allegedly containing defamatory content from social media platforms.
He said the defendant acknowledged during the mediation process that certain statements made against MARA and Asyraf Wajdi were untrue and defamatory, leading to a consent judgment being formally recorded by the court.
General legal observers note that defamation cases involving public figures and institutions often highlight the importance of responsible communication, particularly in the digital age where statements can spread rapidly across social media platforms.
The lawsuit was initiated last year after Asyraf Wajdi claimed that Mas Ermieyati had made allegations suggesting misuse of MARA funds and issues related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) financing.
Mas Ermieyati was represented by lawyer Zulfahami Abu Bakar during the mediation process involving all parties, which ultimately led to the settlement recorded at the Melaka High Court.
